The Wisconsin Badgers have released their 2020-2021 basketball schedule. The Badgers are looking to defend their Big Ten championship from last season. This will be the time we see the Badgers since the Big Ten tournament was cancelled in March.
We've got unfinished business 💯
The wait is over. Check out the 2020-21 Wisconsin Basketball schedule. pic.twitter.com/ojFWZM4z6T
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) November 18, 2020
Early Thoughts
The Badgers schedule consists of six non-conference games and 20 Big Ten conference games. The Badgers prepare themselves with two solid programs in non-conference action in Marquette and Louisville. Marquette is the in-state rivalry game and Louisville is a part of the ACC/Big Ten basketball challenge. Wisconsin also schedules Northern Iowa, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. Northern Iowa won the MVC last season and had a 25-6 record. As a result, this is a challenging non-conference schedule. However, I like that Wisconisn is preparing for what will be a daunting Big Ten season.
The first half of the schedule should give the Badgers a chance to start the season strong. The team opens up with six of its first ten games at home. Road games at Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Rutgers won’t be easy. However, Wisconsin is tough to beat at home. I expect Wisconisn to take care of business at home and win a few of their first road games.
The second half of the schedule did not do the Badgers any favors. Wisconsin is expected to contend for the regular season title with Iowa and Illinois. four of their last eight games are against the Hawkeyes and Illini. Momentum going into the conference tournament is crucial in the Big Ten. Wisconsin didn’t get a great draw in that. How Wisconisn finishes the regular season schedule is going to be key.
All in all, the Wisconsin will be and should be near the top of the Big Ten conference this year. The Badgers return seven of their eight rotational players form last year and bring in a freshman class that should contribute early and will get better as the season goes on. The basketball season is just about here!
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